MEBC BAM 2025

Mid Essex Buddhist Centre (MEBC) Buddhist Action Month (BAM) June 2025

Spreading The Sustainable Mid Essex Buddhist Centre Scheme                                          

 

The aim of MEBC Buddhist Action Month 2025 is:

  1. For you to become more familiar with what MEBC are doing to become a Sustainable Buddhist Centre.
  2. For you to consider if any of those actions have a relevance to you.

 

Take the following Actions Week by Week at home:
 

WEEK 1 & 2 (1st & 8th June) Become familiar with
     The MEBC Sustainable Buddhist Centre Scheme.

Action 1.1: Go to and read the MEBC Website
         A Sustainable Buddhist Centre Page

Action 1.2: Follow the link near the bottom of that page and read more detail on the Triratna Scheme's criteria and how MEBC is implementing them.

 

WEEK 2 (8th June) Ask yourself 'does any of this impact me'?

Remember: The MEBC is applying this scheme to itself as a Centre. The MEBC is not telling, or insisting that, members of the Sangha take any of these actions. This is an individual choice which we are aware is based upon many factors. If you have questions then please talk to an Order Member.

Question 2.1: Do I buy items for, or donate items to, the Centre? 

If yes, then please go back to the Document you read above Action 1.2 and read and follow:

  • Criteria 4: We have taken steps to become a Fairtrade Centre.
  • Criteria 6: We only purchase and offer Vegan products. This covers, but is not limited to, cleaning products and food (tea, coffee, etc.).  Please read the notice on the kitchen sink cupboard at the Centre to see the cleaning products, manufacturers and refill shop that we use.  Please read the notices on the kitchen cupboards at the Centre to see the products and suppliers that we use for tea, coffee, milk alternatives, biscuits, etc. 
          Or email info@mid-essex-buddhist-centre.org.uk requesting these details.
  • Criteria 8: We offer a Comprehensive Recycling Policy. This includes guidelines on purchasing as well as recycling.

     If the above is not possible for you then please consider a money donation instead.

Action 2.2: In preparation for Week 3, consider reading and subscribing to the Ethical Consumer Organisation magazine/website ethicalconsumer.org They have done much of the work required to identify ethical and sustainable suppliers and products. The MEBC Supplies Team used their web site extensively to help make sourcing decisions for the Centre.

 

WEEK 3 (15th June) Ask yourself ‘does any of this have relevance to my home life?’

Remember: The MEBC is applying this scheme to itself as a Centre. The MEBC is not telling, or insisting that, members of the Sangha take any of these actions. This is an individual choice which we are aware is based upon many factors. If you have questions then please talk to an Order Member.

Question 3.1: Can I afford the time, and any possible increase in cost, of making changes?     You can only do what you can do!

Action 3.2: Consider selecting one action that resonates with you. The following list is by no means exhaustive:

  • Could I switch to a more ethical bank/building society?
  • Could I switch to a more sustainable energy supplier/tariff?
  • Could I buy Fairtrade and/or organic tea, coffee and other products?
  • Could I consume less meat and animal products?
  • Could I buy sustainable cleaning products and use a refill shop?
  • Could I travel to the MEBC by foot, bike, public transport or by lift-sharing?
  • Could I recycle more effectively?

Remember the Ethical Consumer Organisation have done much of the work required to help you identify ethical and sustainable suppliers and products ethicalconsumer.org


WEEK 4 (22nd June) Consider taking a personal Green Precept to implement the one action that resonated with you in Week 3. 
    Implement it for this week, for the next month, going forward?

 

And then carry on taking action even though MEBC BAM 2025 has finished.